Future Marine, Blake Napper, speaks about how he lost over 25 pounds to be eligible to enlist into the Marine Corps at the U.S. Marine Corps Permanent Contact Station Auburn, Alabama, on Dec. 9, 2021. Napper is a student at Auburn High School, and is originally from Carrollton, Georgia. He is preparing to begin recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in August, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Shannon Doherty)

United States Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Britny Brown talks about female poolees and Marines breaking barriers and adapting to new challenges in Savannah, Georgia, August 24, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jareka Curtis)

Educators from the Midwest region traveled to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to experience Educator Workshop. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Baylee Boggs )

Educators from the Midwest region traveled to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to experience Educator Workshop. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Baylee Boggs )

This week’s “Before the Lights” highlights the volunteer Marines who fulfill our crowd educator and docent duties! These Marines spend a considerable amount of time studying the history of “The Oldest Post,” in addition to practicing their public speaking skills! Check out what Cpl. Brandon Johnson, crowd educator, “The Commandant’s Own,” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and U.S. Navy RP2 Nancy Guillermo, docent, Marine Barracks Washington, have to say about their respective programs. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Allen Sanders)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Pena, a rifleman with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, talks about how he is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a history teacher while also being a part of the U.S. Marine Corps in Santa Ana, California on June 15, 2021. Pena discusses how the Marine Corps Reserves has provided a multitude of opportunities and experiences he never thought he'd have the chance to take part in. Reserve Marines maintain civilian commitments but are ready to support the Marine Corps in major combat assignments, humanitarian efforts, and national emergencies. They are Marines and thus live up to the same standards as all Marines, regardless of status.(U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

U.S. Marines with The Basic School (TBS) conduct training at Camp Barrett on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. TBS trains more than 1,700 officers per year, instilling a basic level of skills necessary to fulfill the duties of a Marine Corps Officer. During their six months of training, the newly commissioned officers learn individual skills, rifle squad leadership, rifle platoon commander skills, and basic officer skills. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl. Paige M. Verry)

U.S. Marines and Sailors participate in the Intermediate Marine Air-Ground Task Force Information Operations Practitioner Course (IMIOPC), at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 19-29, 2021. IMIOPC was conducted to teach what the information environment is and how to identify opportunities and vulnerabilities within the information environment. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Cervantes)